Chapter 1 - Memory loss

CLEO

The past couple of months have been the worst. I have lost a part of my life that was somehow important and I don't know how to get it back. I honestly feel lost; confused and afraid.

I feel lost because; I have no recollection of my life before the head injury and being shot in the gut . It feels as if I am swimming aimlessly in an ocean full of Islands but I cannot seem to pick one to swim to ,and stay in until I get rescued. The confusion part comes in terms of being head of the communications department, being the bosses wife to be , and having kids with him . How the jelly beans did I become such a text book case? The part that scares me is never remembering anything at all.

This morning I checked out of the hospital and called an uber to take me home. The day before yesterday which was Wednesday; Michelangelo came through to give me my phone, and my apartment keys .He even came with some chocolate cake to try and cheer me up, but I was moody and he picked that up. 

He lost his temper at me and walked out clearly frustrated because I was treating him like a total stranger and I was being cold towards him. I gave the rest of my chocolate ganache cake to the nursing staff. I knew that they were always rotated so ; I had devised an escape plan that was executable . Michelangelo had been in everyday for the past two months trying his best to make me remember him... but my head wouldn't budge. I knew I was passive aggressive towards him and he would snap sooner or later . Hell I didn't even like me. He got so angry he threw the vase of flowers he brought with him at the wall. We were in the private wing of the hospital, and the room I was put in was secluded so the only people who would be aware that anything had happened would be the security guards posted outside my room and the people who came to visit me. My mother was still out of the country with the twins ,and when we talked she made me feel better, loved and cared for. She also asked me to give my so called husband to be a chance.

Michelangelo didn't come through and visit yesterday, and there was no security posted outside my room. The only people that came to see me were the nurse and doctor. My doctor too had changed. It wasn't Brent ; but it was Doctor Baker. Later on last night I called Michelangelo three times but he didn't pick up. So the first thing I did this morning was pack my duffle bag and head home. Before I could leave I was given my hospital bill and I was told to settle the outstanding amount by the end of the month. The bill almost gave me a heart attack. 

I headed downstairs using the elevator and as soon as I stepped out my ride was waiting for me outside. I threw my duffle in and took a deep breath before I got inside and was driven home. 

It was round about seven in the morning when I got home so ; I cleaned up and made a call to the human recourses department at work. Susan answered the call and she was elated to hear my voice. She was the secretary at work last time I remember... wow how long was I out for?

" Hey Susan. How are you?"

" Good morning Cleo . I am good and you angel?"

"I am fine thanks. You sound happy?"

I was far from fine. I was also glad that she didn't notice I was lying.

" All thanks to you I wouldn't have gotten the HR gig if you didn't push me. How are you feeling?"

"Tired but I will manage. Do I still have a job?"

"ha ha yes friend you do and you get paid very well ."

" hah?"

" Yes."

" So if I had a hospital bill that was almost forty grand plus a couple of thousands, I'd be able to pay that?"

" Yes pretty much. You can even go on a holiday overseas and have some money left."

I had a mini heart attack. I didn't want to give it away that there was trouble between me and Michelangelo a guy I don't remember loving .

" I miss you and Blake. I wonder why Jane didn't come and visit."

"hmm"

" What do you know that I don't ?"

" Oh you must be a bit out of sync because ; Jane betrayed you by almost and I mean almost sleeping with Michelangelo before you gave birth to the twins, Blake is in love with Maria your assistant , who is also smitten and he also works for your fiancé as his assistant and Brando ..."

"Brendan?"

" yes him who still goes gaga when you are around is now your deputy. Sam got reassigned to the training department."

" I am confused ."

" okay I will clear everything up when you come back on Monday or sometime next week."

"Okay... keep well ."

" Yeah and get enough rest. Michelangelo has been grumpy since Wednesday, he hasn't been talking to anyone . Even Blake is worried because he barely touches his food. He has shaved his beard which is a good sign. "

I took a deep breath and tried to make sense of what was happening. I don't remember Michelangelo and it's as clear as daylight that I am no longer friends with Jane. I started to feel like I was been held emotionally hostage for Michelangelo's current state. I felt guilty. I don't want anyone knowing I can't remember the past year.

"Sue I feel a bit fatigued . I need to go."

"Okay keep well . Call me if you need anything okay?"

"Will do. "

I hung up and my phone beeped indicating that my phone's battery was flat I placed it on the charger by the kitchen counter where the charging plate was and, went upstairs to go get cleaned up and sleep. I didn't feel like eating and I had about as much as I could take with regards to pain medication. The injury didn't damage my reproductive organs . I was shot yes but I recovered well. Now that I think about it Angelo showed up to every important step of my recovery, until Wednesday. I don't remember our time together, therefore it makes it difficult for me to feel. Its times like these when I really miss my brother. He would know what to say.

The day we lost my brother was a day I will never forget .When we arrived at the hospital the only explanation we were given was that he was gone. He was caught in a crossfire of a war he didn't start. It was a family war and he was next in line to inherit our grandfather's estate. We still don't know who called the hit on him because , they had shot him executioners style with a bullet to the back of his head. The hardest part for me was not having the chance to say goodbye, and the family blaming us for his suicide even though the report said that he was killed .

I changed into my polo fleece heart printed PJ set and crawled into bed. I keep going back to what happened on Wednesday afternoon. I still don't remember Michelangelo. I remembered that he was the guy who waved at me , when I was at the food market ...either than that... nothing . I was as honest as I could be that; I don't remember loving him. Hell I cannot even remember giving birth or Giovanni. I am frustrated that I can't remember. I have a C section scar so it must have happened... it did happen and I am drawing planks. Michelangelo tried to kiss me I pulled back. I only told the truth and I was punished for it. What scared me the most was his reaction. He literally took three vases of flowers he brought me, and threw them at the wall with so much force that they all smashed into pieces. I've seen rage before ; but what I saw on Wednesday afternoon scared me . If Doctor Brent Perelli didn't come in when he did; I'd be telling a different story... I really needed this weekend to pull myself towards myself. I was feeling tired. I took a deep breath and surrendered to sleep;

I dreamt I was pregnant, and walked into a beautiful bedroom in a house that felt like an Italian style villa . The décor gave it away. I was feeling antsy for some sort of odd reason and sick too but I had pretended I was fine. I was looking at Michelangelo and I was feeling fearful.

I then started speaking;

" Don't look at me that way."

" How am I supposed to look at you Cleo ,Tell me ?"

" I am so sorry."

" Sorry for what? Sorry for the fact that you left without a word a couple of hours ago; and you ignored your phone when I called you , or that you took the car that didn't have a tracker, and left without security causing me to worry that something might have happened to you, or that we haven't touched each other properly or that you have been distant."

I wiped a tear that had escaped away from my cheek because he was telling the truth and it hurt.

" All the above except my phone. I forgot it ..."

" I don't want to hear it . You won't tell me what's wrong, like I might hurt you or something . Who is it?"

I took a deep breath and locked eyes with him and started to cry .

" It's your mother ."

"What are you going to blame my mom? She has been nothing but supportive and kind to you."

" No she hasn't and I don't want you to pick sides or choose . It wouldn't be fair to you or the babies ."

"You're lying . I can't stand you right now . "

" Angelo don't ... be so mean to me ."

Angelo grabbed his car keys and walked passed me like I wasn't even there .

" I'm glad we aren't married . When our babies come I'm suing for full custody."

" where are you going ?" 

Angelo looked at me smugly .

" Who me? I have a dinner date with Jane . 

Oh and since you have mommy brain lately . Your ex best friend who used to be my girlfriend who wants me in more ways than one which is less than I can say for you. Don't wait up for me ."

"Angelo wait! "

The last thing I saw was his back and I was crying my eyes out. I kept wondering if what I dreamt was a memory or dream...and if it is a memory I am screwed because I would never allow a guy to treat me the way this Michelangelo guy did. I don't remember giving birth, but it is as clear as daylight I was pregnant. I woke up Saturday afternoon with a slight headache ; but it wasn't as severe as the before. I took a shower redressed my wound and changed into a pair of black jeggings and sneakers with a grey hoody. It was nippy outside and I couldn't believe it was already winter. I went downstairs to look at the pantry and it was fully stocked. I opened the fridge and it was empty. I was craving for a toasted cheese and basil sandwich ,and I also felt like eating some muesli, mixed with plain yoghurt and honey .

Even though I didn't feel like going out ... I had to go out and stock up. Since it was Saturday and I wasn't in the mood for anyone I knew. I decided to go out on my own ; to the food market and fuel up , then go shopping. I changed my shoes and went out . Since I had car keys but no car I took an uber downtown to the farmers market. They had the best cheese and anything else I needed, I would get on my way back home. The sitting area that overlooked the lake was my favorite spot. to sit and just enjoy the food I bought . There was also a picnic spot but I picked the corner bench . I was busy sipping on my peanut butter , banana and cinnamon smoothie when someone came and took a seat in front of me and spoke.

"Cleopatra."

"You."

"Yes me sexy. Whatever vampire diet you are on, it is working."

I put the cup down and stood up. He stood up too and gave me a hug. I hugged him back and he held me close.

" Marc Jasper."

" You remember me ?"

" I never forgot you. I could never."

I buried my head in his chest and once again I felt home...

All Rights Reserved © #KCMmuoe